The government’s flagship free breakfast club initiative has hit a major milestone, serving two million meals in its first term—marking significant progress in the Plan for Change.
Thousands of families across the country are already reaping the benefits. The programme offers 30 minutes of free childcare every morning, helping parents better manage their schedules, save up to £450 a year on childcare, and reclaim around 100 hours annually.
A recent poll reveals the positive impact: 59% of parents say cost savings would encourage them to use the service, and 80% report breakfast clubs make it easier to get to work on time and manage school drop-offs.
Fulfilling a key manifesto pledge, the initiative ensures state schools offer breakfast clubs to all pupils. It's also a cornerstone of the government’s Plan for Change—designed to help more children start the school day ready to learn.
Parents are already noticing the difference: 31% say their children are more focused in class, and 48% find it easier to get their kids up and out the door in the morning. For children, the clubs offer more than just food—they enjoy socialising (69%) and playing before lessons (63%). As for the breakfast menu, cereal is the top choice (39%), followed by toast (32%), with fruit and yoghurt (8%) rounding out the list.
The breakfast clubs are part of broader efforts to ease living costs. These include a rise in the National Living Wage, expanding free school meals to all children in households receiving Universal Credit—saving families £500 annually—and widening the Warm Homes Discount to save £150 for six million households next winter.
Bridget Phillipson, Education Secretary, said:
“This milestone in our Plan for Change will make all the difference to working families, as every child deserves the chance to start the day supported and ready to learn.
“That’s why we are determined to break the link between background and success - delivering two million meals in the first term of free breakfast clubs, making an immediate and direct impact and easing the pressures on working families. We know parents are living busy lives, juggling family time and jobs, so I urge all parents who can to make use of the clubs.
“Coupled with the historic step to tackle child poverty through offering free school meals to every single child who’s family claim Universal Credit and legislating cost saving measures such as a branded uniform cap, we are delivering the change families deserve.”
This government has set out a clear commitment to break down barriers to opportunity for every child, with breakfast clubs proven to boost children’s reading, writing and maths by an average of two months.
Annika Fox, mum of two children aged 6 and 2 years old said:
“The government’s free breakfast clubs have been a lifesaver to help me balance motherhood and work.
“As a full-time executive assistant, and often being the only adult in the house, I have to juggle getting two small kids ready for the day – all prior to commuting into London three times a week!
“The club gives me the flexibility I need, tripling the time I have to make drop off in the morning and making sure that my son isn’t rushed in the morning.”
Michael Lobo, Headteacher at St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School said:
“The funding for the free breakfast clubs has been instrumental to expanding our provision and offering children fun activities – like table tennis!
“For us, we’ve seen an improvement in punctuality for children attending school, as it gives a bigger window for parents to make drop off and lets them stagger their arrival with traffic.
“Our clubs mean children are settled, calmer in the mornings and engaged, ready to learn. It has been particularly valuable for children with SEN and anxiety.”
The early rollout is helping shape the future of the national policy. More information on the full-scale implementation is expected soon.